‘The Newsroom’: Espionage [Review]

The Newsroom had a hugely successful and entertaining Episode 2 of Season 3, entitled “Run,” which aired on Sunday, November 16. The HBO media-based series presented its second episode of an abbreviated, six-episode final season swan song of the Aaron Sorkin drama, which is known for its ability to infuriate viewers as much as it entertains them. The offering featured much ado about espionage, as well as focused on several relationships among the key players and guest stars.

Episode 2 of The Newsroom fired on all cylinders this week as it offered viewers as much drama as it did comedy. In fact, nearly every main character had laugh-out-loud moments and dialogue that was worthy of trademarking. The laugh fest started right off the bat with Reese Lansing (Chris Messina) confronting his newly introduced half-siblings, Blair (Kat Dennings) and Randy (Chris Smith), over their planned corporate takeover. As insults are lobbed among the siblings, Blair called Reese a douche to which he replied, “Yes, I am, but I’m a douche on the side of the angels.” This exchange was followed by the entrance of the always entertaining Atlantis Cable News (ACN) Director Charlie Skinner, who is played by veteran actor Sam Waterston of Law & Order fame, who appeared to be tipsy. Not that is unusual for the character, but given the circumstances, it certainly heightened the comedic factor of the scene.

As The Newsroom explored the topic of espionage with central character Neal Sampat (Dev Patel) in hot water over obtaining classified government documents, other laugh-out-loud moments occurred as newly engaged couple Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) and MacKenzie McHale, who is played by actress Emily Mortimer, bickered over implied ethics and the possible consequences to Neal as well as the network if they aired the story. Moreover, the reaction from Neal and ACN Legal Counsel, Rebecca Halliday, who is portrayed by veteran actress Marcia Gay Harden, as onlookers driven to a nearly comatose state was hilarious. The muted cries for silence were almost deafening and warranted.

Upping the ante and adding to the hilarity of Episode 2 was Mac’s trip to the gun range with her FBI agent friend, Molly, who was played by In Plain Sight‘s Mary McCormack, which was equal parts entertaining and frightening. Mac might be an award-winning journalist, but she is certainly not a sharpshooter. However, she managed to walk away with some useful information or so it seemed. According to FBI Molly, the U.S. government has never prosecuted a journalist under the Espionage Act. In all likelihood, the worst Neal could encounter is a contempt of court charge for refusing to name his source. However, as the episode drew to a close, the audience saw News Night under FBI seize and Neal on the run.

On the relationship front, The Newsroom explored several dynamics–existing and potential. Without a doubt, one of the best and most promising relationships on the series is that of Sloan Sabbith, who is played by actress Olivia Munn, and Don Keefer (Thomas Sadowski). The slapstick romantic comedy dynamic that exists between the characters is golden. They are equal parts hilarious and endearing, as well as always entertaining. The chemistry between the actors is palatable and their interactions are frequently the highlight of the episode. Meanwhile, Maggie Jordan (Alison Pill) not only scooped a major story (two stories in fact) via an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official, but also met a potential love interest in the form of a Fordham law professor, all while aboard an Amtrak train headed back to New York City from covering the Boston Marathon bombing attacks in the premiere episode. The kicker being the potential paramour is an ethics professor, which compliments the morally grounded ACN producer to a tee. Anyone else sense a love triangle brewing? Especially since Maggie’s former love, Jim Harper, who is portrayed by John Gallagher Jr., saw his current girlfriend, reporter Hallie Shea, who is played by Grace Gummer, fired from ACN and the News Night team over a toxic tweet.

The Newsroom tackled espionage and family drama in a hugely successful and entertaining second episode of its third season, entitled “Run,” which left key character Neal on the run. The offering aired on Sunday, November 16. The offering aired on Sunday, November 16. The Newsroom presented Episode 2 of an abbreviated, six-episode final season of the Aaron Sorkin drama, which is known for its ability to infuriate viewers as much as it entertains them. “Run” featured much ado about espionage as well as focused on several relationships among the key players and guest stars. This offering of The Newsroom gave all the key players plenty of drama and comedy to entertain viewers. The cast and dialogue were equal parts stellar. If viewers have never seen or abandoned the series, this is a must-see episode. The Newsroom has raised the stakes and is going out with style, as the HBO drama returns for a shortened, six-episode third season swan song on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.